Mortar-spreader.



C. D. DOLL.

MORTAR SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l3. 191s.

Patented June 13, 1916.

SAES PATENT OFFICE.

CASTLEMAN D. DOLL, OVFILOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR .To BESSIE L. DOLL, 0F

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

MORTAR-SPREADER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 13, 1916 Application filed August 13, 1915. Serial No. 45,286.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CASTLEMAN D. DoLL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Louisville, in the county of Jelferson and State of Kentucky, have mvented certain new and useful Improvements in Mortar-Spreaders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a device for spreading mortar or like material in the construction'of a masonry structure in which the mortar or the like passes freely through the open bottom of a movable receptacle to the surface to' which it is to be applied, the thickness being controlled by gages or strikers at the ends of the receptacle.

The objects of the invention are to provide a spreader of simple construction, from which the flow of mortar may take place freely without the application of extraneous force; to provide a device capable of applying mortar to the entire surface below the spreader and of properly covering walls or like structures at their ends and in corners; to provide means for controlling the depth of the mortar applied and for cutting off the supply of mortar when desired.

Further objects of this invention will more fully appear from the subsequent description of the device.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure '1 is a side view of the mortar spreader embodying this invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 3 is an end elevation; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view with the cut-off slide partially removed; Fig. 5 is a detail view in reduced scale of the cut of]? slide.

1 is a receptacle, rectangular in cross section and having parallel side and end walls. This receptacle is open at both 'top and bottom. Itis provided with a bail 2 and with end handles or pulls 3, 3. Longitudinally of the base of the receptacle and at each side thereof are provided runners 4, 4, having their ends 5, 5 upwardly curved. These runners protrude below the bottom of I, the receptacle, forming continuations of its sldes, and servlng as a means for supporting the receptacle above the course of masonry already completed and permitting its movement along the surface of the masonry, the upcurved edges facilitating the movement of the receptacle. At each end of the receptacle there is provided an end gage or striker 6, provided with a vertical slot 7 and having projecting centrally from its lower end a lug or divider 8. The lower end of said striker and of the divider. are curved .outwardly from the receptacle, thus presenting a convex surface to the mortar issuing therefrom. Bolts 9 pass through the end walls of the receptacle and In order to cause a cessation of the flow of mortar when desired, slots 13, 13 are provided in each of runners 4, into which slots slide 14 may be inserted. Slots 13 extend the entire length of the receptacle. The

runners 4 are beveled on the inside towardthe slots 13 above and below the same, thereby facilitating the movement of the slide therein. The slide 14 is provided with a suitable handle 15, and the corners of the slide 16, 16 opposite said handle are curved to facilitate the entrance of said handle into the slot 13. The dimensions of the slide 14 are such that, when inserted through slot 13 in either runner, it forms a complete closure for the bottom of the mortar receptacle.

Extending transversely of the receptacle between the runners 4 above and below the slots 13 are bars or wires 17, stretched taut between said runners. These wires act to retain the walls of the receptacle rigidly in position relatively to each other, and furthermore, serve as guides and supports for the slide 14.

Externally of each runner 4 and immediately below the slots 13, 1'3 ther" are provided central lugs 18 and angular end lugs 19. These angular end lugs 19 are so formed as to present a convexly curved face to the corresponding end of the receptacle. It is thus apparent that in constructing a wall made up of a plurality of tiers of masonry, one tier may be used as a guide in spreading mortar upon the next, the curved end lugs 19 acting as laterally extending runners masonry, and the slide removed, thereby the like.

permittingthe mortar to flow to the surface to be covered. The spreader is then drawn along the surface to be covered by suitable means such as handles 3, moving readily upon runners 4. This movement results in a continuous application of the mortar,

which is spread to an even thickness by the rear end gages or strikers 6.. The projections 8 on the strikers form a groove in the mortar, thus shaping the mortar to adapt it for the laying of the next row-of bricks or When the end of the course is reached the slide 14 is reinserted, thus cutting off the flow of mortar but leaving a supply of mortar directly beneath the receptacle itself. The receptacle may then be moved in either direction to strike off the surface of the mortar beneath the receptacle. It is thus apparent that, by the use of this spreader, mortar may be applied at all points, such as ends and corners, since the entire surface below the spreader may be covered and the spreader operates when moved in either direction.

When the course of masonry under construction is adjacent and parallel to one already constructed the lugs 19, 19 act as lateral guides, moving in contact with the built up course. Where it is desired to use the course of masonry upon which the spreader operates as a guiding means therefor, there are provided on each side of the spreader a plurality of bars 20, said bars being pivoted to the receptacle at 21 and having at their ends the rotatable wheels 22. When not in use as guides, bars 20 are supported in an upwardly extending position by suitable means such as spring catches 23. When used as guides, bars 20 extend downwardly, being retained in position by suitable means, such as s ring catches 24, the rollers 22 contacting wit the sides of the course of masonry upon which the receptacle operates.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a receptacle having an unobstructed interior, runners longitudinally of the sides of said receptacle and slidably supporting the same, strikers adjustably mounted at merger .each end of said receptacle, and a closure member for the bottom of said receptacle, being bodily removable therefrom.

2. A device of the class described comprising a rectangular receptacle having tacle, longitudinal slots in said runners, and

a slide for insertion through said slots, said slide thereby closing the bottom of said receptacle.

3. A device of the class described comprising a rectangular receptacle having parallel sides, the bottom of said receptacle being open, runners arranged longitudinally of the sides of said receptacle and at its base, slidably supporting the same, strikers adjustably mounted at each end of said receptacle, longitudinal slots in said runners, wires between said runners above and below said slots, and a slide for insertion through said slots to close the bottom of the receptacle, said wires serving to hold the sides of said receptacle firmly and acting as guides for said slide.

4. A device of the class described comprising a rectangular receptacle having parallel sides, the bottom of said receptacle being open, runners arranged longitudinally of the sides of said receptacle and at its base, slidably supporting the same, strikers adjustably mounted at each end of said receptacle, longitudinal slots in said runners, lugs projectinglaterally from said runners below said slots, said-lugs serving as guides [for said receptacle, and a removable closure member for the bottom of said receptacle passing through said slots.

5. A device of theclass described comprising a rectangular receptacle having parallel sides, the bottom of -said=receptacle being open, runners arranged longitudinally of the sides of said receptacle and at its base, said runners slidably supporting said receptacle, shafts pivoted at the sides of said receptacle, guide rollers mounted upon said shafts, means for retaining said shafts in upwardly directed position and means for retaining said shafts in downwardly directed position, wherein said rollers and shafts serve to guide said receptacle, and means for closing the bottom of said receptacle. 1

CASTLEMAN D. DOLL. 

